Insulated tool



J. A. WEAVER.

INSULATED TOOL.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE25, I919.

Patented June 8, 1920.

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JOHN ALBERT WEAVER, 0F BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

INSULATED 'roon Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 8, T2 Ut Application filed June 25, 1919. Serial No. 306,567.

ing means for hand actuated implements or tools.

Arr important object of the invention is to provide a movable insulating element or sleeve, carried by the contacting portion or blade of the tool, for completely covering the contacting portion, in a manner to prevent injury to the operator, while at the same time enabling the tool to be properly used in fulfilling its function.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the insulating sleeve may be retracted and locked in' such position, when desired. r

A further object of the invention is to provide a tool of the above mentioned character, which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture,- convenient in use, and. having means whereby the insulating sleeve may be readily removed in.

case of wear or the like, so that a new sleeve may be substituted therefor.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course Elli of the following description.

In the accompanying drawlngs, formlng a part of this specificatlon, and 1n WhICl].

like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a central longitudinal sectional view through a tool or implement em-' bodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is a similar view taken at a right angle to Fig. 1,

Fig.3 is a'detail section through the han- (lle, upon a large scale, showing the stop element, and,

Fig. 4. is. a detail longitudinal section through a slightly different form' of device embodying my invention.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration it is shown in preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates the handle of a screw driver. which is preferably formed of a plastic or molded insulating material, such as bakelite. However, this handle may be formed of any suitable insulating material. The handle 5 is provided with a longitudinal openmg 6, which leads into an enlarged bore 7.

The-numeral 8 designates a metallic engaging or contacting element, here shown in the" form of a rod, having its forward end tapered to provide a blade 9. The rod'8 extends through the bore 7 and enters the opening 6, the rod being securely anchored to the handle 5, by a transverse pin 10, pass- 1ng through an opening in the rod, and havlng its ends spaced from the outer surface of the handle, tobe thoroughly insulated by the material thereof.

The numeral 11 designates an insulating sleeve, which'm'a'ybe formed of bakelite or other suitable insulating materiaL- This sleeve is slidable upon the element or rod 8 and its inner end projects .into the bore 7, and is slidable therein. The insulating sleeve 11 is provided with alongitudinal opening or slot 12, having a transverse portion 13. The slot 12 receives an inner extension 14 of a stop-screw 15, engaging within a transverse opening of the handle 5. Thisopening leads into a recess 16, receiving the head 17 of the screw. The re cess 16 is covered by a removable fiber plug 18, having screw threaded engagement with the recess. f

Arranged within the bore. 7 y is a compressible coil spring 19, surrounding the element or rod 8, and engaging the inner end of the sleeve 11, to move it outwardly.- When (the sleeve is in the ,outward position, its movement is restricted by the extension or stop element 14, the outer end of the sleeve 11 completely coverin the forward end or blade 9, as shown. articular attention is called to the fact that the slot 12 and'its extension 13 lies entirely within the bore 7 at all times and are hence always covered by the forward portion of the handle.

In the use of the screw 'driver, the operator gras s the handle 5 in the usual manner, and the blade is brought into engage,- ment with the head of a screw,'-such blade engaging within the 'slot thereof. The insulating sleeve is automatically moved inwardly to uncover the blade 9. Should the blade \9 slip from the head of the screw, the sleeve 11 is instantaneously projected outwardly by the spring 19', to again completely cover the blade 9. Should it be desired to retain the blade 9 uncovered, in

curved heads of electrical screws, thus serving to retain the blade in the slot of the screw head.

In Fig. the handle-5 is formed of wood, and has the bore 7 to receive the metallic element 8, covered by the sliding sleeve 11, of insulating material. The element'8 has a radial opening formed therein,

to receive a stop pin 20, operating in the slot,

12, as shown, to limit the outward movement of the sleeve 11.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as examples for illustrating the idea of means embodied in the inven;

tion. The invention is not restricted to theembodiment of a screw driver as it may be applied to other implements, such as'tap holders, files, awls, reamer's, etc. It is tobe further understood that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangements of parts of the device, may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention or the'scope of the subjoined claims. 7 Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A tool or implement of the character' described comprising a handle formed of insulating material, a metallic shank secured at its inner end within said handle and pro'ecting axially therefrom, a rigid longitudinally movable insulating sleeve encompassing the portion of the shank outside of the handle andextending within the handle and adapted to be moved longitudinally to uncover the extreme outer end of said shank, and means Within the handle and engaging said sleeve to permit the uncovering of the outer end of shank when in use and also to automatically restore the sleeve to its complete encompassing position upon release of the extreme end of the shank from its work.

2. A tool or implement of the characte described comprising a handle formed of insulating material, a metallic shank secured; at its inner end within said handle and projecting axiallytherefrom, a rigid longitudinally movable insulating sleeve encompassing the portion of the shank outside of the handle and also extending within the handle, said sleeve adapted to be moved longitudinally to uncover the extreme outer end of said shank, elastic means within the handle and engaging the inner end of said sleeve, whereby the same may be moved longitudinally to permit uncovering of the outer end of the shank when in use and also to automatically return the same to its complete. encompassing position upon re lease of the extreme outer end of the shank from its work, said sleeve -having an elongated slot in one side, the handle having a transverse opening in its side wall and opposite said elongated slot, a stop pin projecting through said transverse opening and'into said slot, anda removable plug or stopper of insulating material sealing said transverse opening, whereby circuiting through the stop pin will be prevented.

JOHN ALBERT WEAVER. 

